Buzzing noise in front brake.

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  • Smokey61
    Smokey61
    5 years ago
    Buzzing like small cicada when front brake applied. ABS equipped '12 Widey.

    Just given major service by dealer. Noise was apparent immediately on first brake application.

    Can't get back to dealer until Monday, rang them, no clue. "Was fine when we test rode it. Maybe it's the pads sliding over the holes."

    I put half a tank through it last night. It ain't the pads. I've had the bike a year, never made that noise before.

    Noise is steady, doesn't vary with speed or brake lever pressure. Buzz tapers off below 20 km/h. Brake function unaffected.

    Anyone have any ideas?
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Smokey i have Lyndall race pads in the front of my Street Glide and when you grab a fistfull of front its exactly what you hear...a gang of cicada! Bet you've just got new pads on the front....
  • Smokey61
    Smokey61
    5 years ago
    Quoting paulybronco on 16 Nov 2018 12:03 AM

    Smokey i have Lyndall race pads in the front of my Street Glide and when you grab a fistfull of front its exactly what you hear...a gang of cicada! Bet you've just got new pads on the front....

    Not according to the parts list in the bill... It had a full braking circuit flush but the pads were not replaced.

    I thought they might not be properly seated after being disturbed at first so I put 150kms on it last night. No difference.

    I've had a few bikes with ventilated discs, all silent.

    It's *not* "normal".
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting paulybronco on 16 Nov 2018 12:03 AM

    Smokey i have Lyndall race pads in the front of my Street Glide and when you grab a fistfull of front its exactly what you hear...a gang of cicada! Bet you've just got new pads on the front....

    Quoting Smokey61 on 16 Nov 2018 12:14 AMedited: 16 Nov 2018 12:19 AM

    Not according to the parts list in the bill... It had a full braking circuit flush but the pads were not replaced.

    I thought they might not be properly seated after being disturbed at first so I put 150kms on it last night. No difference.

    I've had a few bikes with ventilated discs, all silent.

    It's *not* "normal".

    Ok, little weird you would only hear it now. Mine was apparent from first application of brakes. My bet is still pads
  • Ken in Cairns
    Ken in Cairns
    5 years ago
    Mine does it to, the noise is up near the master cylinder, so I think it is something to do with the ABS.
    Cheers Ken 
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting Ken in Cairns on 17 Nov 2018 05:49 AMedited: 18 Nov 2018 12:07 AM

    Mine does it to, the noise is up near the master cylinder, so I think it is something to do with the ABS.

    Cheers Ken 

    The ABS unit is nowhere near the front master cylinder.....its under the seat and near the battery. The only giveaway ABS is active is a pulsating of the front brake lever.
  • Ken in Cairns
    Ken in Cairns
    5 years ago
    Yeah I know were the actual ABS Unit is Paul !! What I was trying to explain without writing a bloody novel was the sound "feels" more like it is up high, not down by the brake calipers. Maybe it is because I'm pulling on the brake lever, sound transmitted via induction ?
    And to let the OP know I can hear the cicadas too. It is much more apparant since I had all the brake calipers and master cylinders  rebuilt and system fluid changed.

    Cheers Ken 
  • Dan069
    Dan069
    5 years ago
    Quoting Ken in Cairns on 18 Nov 2018 12:14 AMedited: 18 Nov 2018 12:15 AM

    Yeah I know were the actual ABS Unit is Paul !! What I was trying to explain without writing a bloody novel was the sound "feels" more like it is up high, not down by the brake calipers. Maybe it is because I'm pulling on the brake lever, sound transmitted via induction ?

    And to let the OP know I can hear the cicadas too. It is much more apparant since I had all the brake calipers and master cylinders  rebuilt and system fluid changed.

    Cheers Ken 

    Hi mine 2017 wide glide had noise since new 14000 km later still there 
  • Smokey61
    Smokey61
    5 years ago
    Thanks for the comments, I'll do some testing on it this arvo. Thinking about removing the caliper, taping it up with a spacer in between the pads and riding up to 50ks to see if the noise is still there when I pull the lever. Don't suppose anyone's already tried this?
  • Ken in Cairns
    Ken in Cairns
    5 years ago
    No I haven't  tried that, as I feel that the buzzing mine makes is normal. HD guy who did the brakes and test rode it never commented on it.
    Cheers Ken 
  • Smokey61
    Smokey61
    5 years ago
    Anyone *without* ABS have this noise from the front brake?
  • Fatboy slim
    Fatboy slim
    5 years ago
    Quoting Smokey61 on 18 Nov 2018 01:58 AM

    Anyone *without* ABS have this noise from the front brake?

    Yep, mines a softail slim non ABS & mine makes the same noise.
    Noise is up high, pads & fluid changed in the past but the noise has always been there.
  • RideHardcore
    RideHardcore
    5 years ago
    I have a 2011 fxdf fat bob, no ABS i got it with 5000 klm on it and has always had that typ of noise. I replaced the rotors and new pads to another harley pair
    and it still has the same noise, it still annoys me. I thought it might be the holes in the rotors also, but still not sure.
  • Smokey61
    Smokey61
    5 years ago
    It seems unlikely, given that only Harleys seem to have noisy brakes. Gave the brakes a workout today but still doing it, does seem to vary just a little with speed and pressure though, going to bevel the pads and try a little copper grease on the backs of the pads and see if there's any noticeable effect.
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting Smokey61 on 19 Nov 2018 10:35 AM

    It seems unlikely, given that only Harleys seem to have noisy brakes. Gave the brakes a workout today but still doing it, does seem to vary just a little with speed and pressure though, going to bevel the pads and try a little copper grease on the backs of the pads and see if there's any noticeable effect.

    Its the sintered pads on the vented discs
  • Smokey61
    Smokey61
    5 years ago
    Quoting Smokey61 on 19 Nov 2018 10:35 AM

    It seems unlikely, given that only Harleys seem to have noisy brakes. Gave the brakes a workout today but still doing it, does seem to vary just a little with speed and pressure though, going to bevel the pads and try a little copper grease on the backs of the pads and see if there's any noticeable effect.

    Quoting paulybronco on 19 Nov 2018 11:04 AM

    Its the sintered pads on the vented discs

    It's the same pads that have been there operating silently for the previous 4000 kms that I've owned it.
  • STEAMER
    STEAMER
    5 years ago
    Buzzing is prob the ABS, does it mainly happen when brake is activated. If so then abs  and is normal. Should also feel slight sensation through brake lever at times
  • steelo
    steelo
    5 years ago
    Well done PB. Amazing how you and smokey both thought it sounded like cicadas
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Quoting steelo on 21 Nov 2018 03:27 AM

    Well done PB. Amazing how you and smokey both thought it sounded like cicadas

    Better than hearing crickets........LOL
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